Hospital organizations urge Congress to prevent Medicaid DSH cuts

National hospital organizations, including the AHA, today urged congressional leaders to prevent $8 billion in Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts scheduled to begin in October under the Affordable Care Act after previous delays due to the potential impact on hospitals, patients and communities. 

“Unfortunately, the coverage rates envisioned under the ACA have not been fully realized, and tens of millions of Americans remain uninsured,” the letter notes. “This year the Medicaid program and its beneficiaries face a difficult transition, as states institute processes to determine which recipients remain eligible for the program when the maintenance of effort provisions related to the public health emergency expire. In addition, Medicaid underpayment continues to pose ongoing financial challenges for hospitals treating our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, including millions of children. Now is not the time for additional cuts to Medicaid funding, as hospitals are facing continued financial hardships while the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
 
In addition to the AHA, America’s Essential Hospitals, the Association of American Medical Colleges, Catholic Health Association of the United States, Children’s Hospital Association, Federation of American Hospitals, Premier healthcare alliance and Vizient Inc. signed the letter.